Time Is Short: Dedicating Ourselves to the Worship of Allah

Life in this world is brief and fleeting, a test before the eternal life to come. Allah reminds us in the Qur’an that “This worldly life is only [a fleeting] enjoyment, whereas the Hereafter is truly the home of settlement” (Qur’an 40:39)quran.com. Every day and hour we live is a trust from Allah that draws us nearer to death and the Hereafter. As a result, believers are urged to make the most of their time by worshiping Allah and striving for righteousness. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to live with urgency and purpose. For example, he advised: “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler”sunnah.com. This hadith reminds us that our time here is temporary. Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) further advised: “If you live to the evening, do not expect to live to the morning; take from your health for your sickness, and from your life for your death.”sunnah.com. In other words, do not delay good deeds, for we do not know how much time we have left.

The Qur’an emphatically underscores how time itself is a witness to our fleeting existence. Surah Al-‘Asr (103:1–3) begins with Allah’s oath by time: “By the passage of time, indeed, mankind is in loss…”legacy.quran.com. These powerful verses explain that all people are in a state of loss except those who believe, do righteous deeds, and encourage one another to truth and patiencelegacy.quran.com legacy.quran.com. In other words, our time is valuable only if spent in faith and good action. Time wasted on trivial pursuits is time truly lost, since we will ultimately return to Allah with our deeds.

Similarly, ʿAbdullah ibn Mas‘ūd reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Verily, Allah Almighty made the world for a short time, and what remains is but the shortest of it. The parable of what remains is like the pure mountaintop water after drinking, with only its murkiness left”abuaminaelias.com. This vivid imagery makes the point clear: the vast majority of our life is gone, and only a tiny portion of it is left. No sensible person would squander the last drops of precious water; likewise, we should not waste the precious little time left in our lives.

The Fleeting Nature of Dunyā

Islam teaches that Dunyā (the worldly life) is temporary and fleeting, a mere trial before the everlasting Ākhirah. The Qur’an repeatedly reminds us that this life’s pleasures are insignificant compared to what awaits in the hereafter. Allah says, for example:

“O my people! This worldly life is only a fleeting enjoyment, whereas the Hereafter is truly the home of settlement”quran.com.
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from a male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous (attqākum)” (49:13)quran.com.

These verses highlight two key truths: that the world is temporary, and that taqwā (God-consciousness, righteousness) is what truly elevates a person in Allah’s eyes. A believer who realizes that all else is fleeting will focus on the eternal.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “The world is a prison for the believer and paradise for the disbeliever”sunnah.com. For the disbeliever, worldly pleasures may feel satisfying but end in regret. For the believer, the world is a testing ground, not a final home. Likewise, the Qur’an warns against attachment to Dunyā through the parable: “The life of this world is but play and amusement… [but] the home of the Hereafter — that is the best…” (29:64). These reminders should stir our hearts: what passes quickly cannot be our priority.

To further awaken us, scholars and the righteous remind us of the ephemeral nature of life. The great scholar Ibn al-Qayyim commented that there is a “sadness in the heart that cannot be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah”, and an “emptiness that cannot be filled except with love for Him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him”muslimink.com. In other words, worldly achievements and pleasures leave a void in the soul that only devotion to Allah can fill. He warns that even being given the entire world would not fill the believer’s heart. This insight echoes the Qur’an’s teaching that no worldly gain compares to spiritual wealth.

Similarly, our Prophet ﷺ drew our attention to the brevity of life and the urgency it demands. He said, “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your occupation, and your life before your death”abuaminaelias.com. This powerful hadith tells us that every stage of life is a trust and an opportunity. In youth we have strength, in health we have vigor, in wealth we have the means, and in free time we have opportunity. Each of these will be gone soon, so we must use them for goodness now.

The Purpose of Creation: Worshiping Allah

Why does Allah remind us of life’s brevity? The answer is given in the Qur’an: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me” (51:56)myislam.org. This verse—often called an aayah of worship—is straightforward: the entire purpose of human existence is ʿibādah (worship and devotion) to Allah alone. Everything else is secondary. Education, careers, even family and hobbies are important only insofar as they help us fulfill this ultimate purpose.

Worship in Islam is broad: it includes the five daily prayers, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, and so on, but also any deed done with the intention to please Allah. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized sincerity and intention: he said, “Actions are but by intention”, reminding us that even mundane acts can be acts of worship if done for Allah. A kind word, helping others, earning a lawful living – all can count as ʿibādah.

Yet the most essential acts of worship the Prophet ﷺ taught are Salah (prayer) and Dhikr (remembrance of Allah). Prayer is the anchor of a Muslim’s day. It is our direct link to Allah at prescribed times, and it constantly resets our focus from the world to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said that the first matter the believer will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayerabuaminaelias.com. He explained:

“The first action for which a servant of Allah will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayers. If they are in order, he will have prospered and succeeded. If they are lacking, he will have failed and lost.”abuaminaelias.com

This hadith (Tirmidhi) tells us that if our prayers are sound, the rest of our deeds will be judged favorably; if our prayers are deficient, our entire record is jeopardized. Thus, establishing prayer on time with humility and concentration should be our top concern.

Another essential act is Dhikr: constantly remembering Allah throughout the day, beyond the formal prayers. The Qur’an praises those “who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides”quran.com. This verse (3:191) describes the true believers: their consciousness of Allah never stops. By reflecting on the heavens and earth, they say: “Our Lord! You did not create this for nothing. Glory be to You; protect us from the Fire.” Remembering Allah keeps us mindful of our purpose and steers us away from heedlessness.

Likewise, the Qur’an repeatedly urges us to remember Allah often. After congregational Friday prayer, Allah commands: “And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.”myislam.org. In our busy lives, even as we go about work and family duties, this verse emphasizes that we should “remember Allah much”. Speechful or silent dhikr, gratitude in our hearts, or simply recalling Allah’s name – all these acts can fill the day and give it meaning.

Living with Taqwa (God-consciousness) is equally essential. Taqwa means fear and mindfulness of Allah, leading us to obey His commands and avoid His prohibitions. Allah tells us in the Qur’an that the noblest among people are those most righteous (with the most taqwa)quran.com. Taqwa is thus a measure of one’s worth in Allah’s eyes. It is cultivated through worship, good character, and moral vigilance. When we keep Allah in mind – in our prayers, in our speech, and in our private moments – we are practicing taqwa. It becomes a shield that protects us from sinful distractions and makes our life meaningful and focused on Allah’s pleasure.

Acting with Urgency: The Prophet’s Example

The teachings of Islam create a deep sense of urgency about using our time wisely. We have already seen how the Prophet ﷺ urged believers to seize every blessing before it is goneabuaminaelias.com. His own life exemplified dedication to worship despite hardship. He often reminded us that death is near and the Final Return inevitable.

One of his most famous directives is indeed: “Take from your life for your death”sunnah.com. This means we should live every day as if it might be our last. We must prepare for death through good deeds and by strengthening our relationship with Allah. The idea is not morbid, but motivational: knowing that our time is limited makes every moment precious.

Companions of the Prophet practiced this urgency. For instance, when the elderly companion Ṭalḥah bin ʿUbaydillāh fell ill, he said, “I have only two things left: the testimonies I have given and the unfulfilled duty of prayer, and I don’t know which will bear me witness.” He regretted missing any act of worship. Abu Bakr ﷺ reported that the Prophet said: “Wondrous is the affair of a believer, for there is good for him in every matter… If he has an occasion to experience pleasure, he is thankful; that is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a trial, he is patient; that is good for him.” Although not directly about time, this hadith (Muslim) shows that believers view every situation as an opportunity for good — whether health or sickness, youth or old age.

In his sermons and letters, the Prophet ﷺ always linked deeds to the Hereafter. For instance, he said, “No fatigue, illness, sorrow, sadness, hurt or distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates his sins because of it.” (Bukhari). This teaches us that even difficulties have value if we bear them with patience and faith. Therefore, Muslims should respond to life’s brevity and hardships by worship — seeing every moment as a chance to earn Allah’s reward.

Another inspiring hadith is that of Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: Allah’s Messenger ﷺ used to supplicate: “O Allah, grant our hearts piety and beauty; and make our tongues moist with Your remembrance.” And he said: “Indeed, Allah does not look at your faces and your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” (Muslim). This emphasizes sincerity and inner devotion over mere outward appearances. If our hearts truly long for Allah, that love will overflow into our tongues and actions, filling our short lives with lasting meaning.

Scholars echo these teachings. Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi notes that voluntary acts of worship (nafl) are a means of drawing closer to Allahfiqh.islamonline.net. The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah loves to see a servant engage in supererogatory worship even more than He likes seeing obligatory worship performed. This love for extra worship strengthens our bond with Allah. In one famous hadith (Bukhari), Allah says: “My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the prayers I have enjoined upon him. If he continues to draw near to Me with nafl (additional worship), I will love him…”. The hadith continues, describing that when Allah loves someone, He grants them even material and spiritual security. This teaching highlights that intentional devotion produces divine love and blessings in life.

Core Acts of Devotion: Prayer, Remembrance, and Taqwa

Given this urgency, what concrete actions should we take each day? Three pillars stand out: salah, dhikr, and taqwa.

Salah (Prayer): The five daily prayers are our foremost obligation. They structure the day around remembrance of Allah. We should strive to pray on time, understanding that each prayer is a small preparation for the Final Prayer on the Day of Judgment. In times of hardship, prayer is our comfort; in times of ease, it is our thanksgiving. We should also take advantage of the Prophet’s Sunnah prayers (like extra raka‘āt before and after obligatory prayers, and Tahajjud at night) to keep our hearts humble and focused on Allahfiqh.islamonline.net. As the scholar Shaykh Qaradawi explains, voluntary prayers close the gaps in our obligatory ones and express love for the Prophet ﷺ by following his examplefiqh.islamonline.net. Remember the hadith: “The first matter which the slave will be brought to account on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, he has succeeded and prospered…”abuaminaelias.com.
Dhikr (Remembrance): Simple acts of dhikr — saying “Subḥānallāh,” “Al-ḥamdu lillāh,” “Allāhu Akbar,” “Lā ilāha illā Allāh,” and other phrases — keep our hearts engaged with Allah. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged saying the tasbīḥāt of Fātimah (after ‘Isha’ and Fajr), and constant morning/evening remembrances. Even while working or walking, one can quietly remember Allah. As Qur’an 62:10 commands, “remember Allah much” in order to succeedmyislam.org. In addition, reciting Qur’an daily and pondering its meanings is a noble form of dhikr and reflection.
Taqwa (God-consciousness): We should cultivate consciousness of Allah in every action. Before we speak or act, we ask: Is this pleasing to Allah? When tempted by sin, we recall Allah’s presence in our hearts. We live by moral principles because Allah is watching. This mindfulness transforms mundane acts—eating, working, socializing—into acts of worship when done with the intention of obedience. Living with taqwa also means avoiding waste: time is a blessing not to be squandered on futile entertainments or bad habits. Instead we invest time in studying Islamic knowledge, helping others, and purifying our character.

In all of this, we balance dunyā and ākhirah. As the Prophet ﷺ taught: “Whoever makes the Hereafter his concern, Allah will put his affairs in order, enrich his heart, and bring the world to him. Whoever makes this world his concern, Allah will throw poverty into his heart, scatter his affairs, and give him nothing of the world except what is decreed.”abuaminaelias.com. This hadith warns against excessive pursuit of worldly gains at the expense of spiritual goals. It assures us that prioritizing the afterlife does not rob us of worldly needs; indeed, Allah organizes our affairs and blesses us in ways we do not even seek, simply because our focus is on Him. On the other hand, those fixated on material success often feel empty and are given “poverty between their eyes” – a sense of lack and discontent.

Practical Steps and Spiritual Encouragement

Based on these teachings, here are steps we can take to honor the shortness of life and devote it to Allah:

Prioritize the Five Prayers: Set alarms or use reminders if needed. If one misses a prayer, make it up promptly. Treat each prayer as a precious meeting with Allah. Encourage family and friends to pray together.
Increase Remembrance: Begin and end your day with adhkār (prophetic supplications). Take short breaks for dhikr and silent gratitude. Use idle moments (driving, waiting) to say SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar.
Reflect on Death and the Hereafter: Keep reminders in your life: read about the grave, watch inspiring talks, visit the cemetery. The Prophet ﷺ himself said he used to remind himself of death to keep himself focused. Let the certainty of death and resurrection guide you to good deeds now, rather than procrastinate.
Charity and Kindness: Give to charity and volunteer often, even small amounts. Helping others is beloved to Allah and counts as ongoing charity (ṣadaqah jariyah). It also detaches us from greed for this world.
Study and Learn: Read the Qur’an daily, seek knowledge of Hadith and Islamic ethics. Understanding Allah’s words instills taqwa. Make attending lectures or classes a routine.
Self-Audit: At each night’s end, review your day. Ask yourself: Did I remember Allah? Did I control my tongue? Did I do a good deed or fix a wrong? Repent for any missed opportunities. This muraqabah (self-checking) fosters God-consciousness.
Make Du‘ā (supplication): Pray sincerely for steadfastness. Ask Allah to bless your time, to make you productive in worship, and to grant you a good ending. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to pray for beneficial deeds and to seek refuge from idle talk and death’s regret (Bukhari).

Above all, renew your intention each day. Remember that Allah did not create us for frivolity. We were created to serve and please Him. Every hour spent in prayer, Qur’an study, kindness, or sincere work becomes a step toward Paradise. As we strive, Allah promises reward: “And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer – We will surely cause them to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do” (Qur’an 16:97).

Conclusion: Seize the Moment

Time will not wait for anyone. We have seen from the Qur’an and Sunnah that our time in this world is fleeting and that our ultimate purpose is to worship Allah alonemyislam.org legacy.quran.com. Let this truth sink into your heart. Do not be complacent. The past is gone, and the future is uncertain. Right now is the moment to turn to Allah, to pray with sincerity, to remember Him abundantly, and to live with righteousness.

Allah says: “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous” (Qur’an 3:133). Let us hasten—without neglect—to prepare for that Garden. Let the urgency of the Prophet’s teachings drive us to action. Even if we feel weak or overwhelmed, Allah promises reward for every step we take towards Him. As Ibn al-Qayyim reminded us, worldly gains cannot fill the emptiness of the heart; only turning to Allah can do thatmuslimink.com. So seize your time: awaken from heedlessness, purify your intentions, and engage your entire life in the worship of Allah.

Call to Action:

Reflect: Today, remember death and your purpose in life. Ask yourself how you spent yesterday’s time, and how you will spend today’s.
Pray: Perform every prayer on time with devotion. If possible, pray some extra nafl prayers.
Remember: Engage in dhikr throughout the day. Make a list of Allah’s blessings and thank Him for each.
Seek Knowledge: Read or listen to something beneficial about Allah and the Hereafter each day.
Make Du‘ā: Pray, “O Allah, make the reminder of death and the life to come more beloved to us than the life of this world.” Seek Allah’s help in prioritizing what truly matters.

May Allah guide us to use our fleeting time wisely, forgive our shortcomings, and grant us the success of devotion. Let us live with taqwā and hope in His mercy, so that when we meet Him, we do so with our deeds standing in our favor. Ameen.